Propulsion protection device

ABSTRACT

The Propulsion Protection Device includes rigid inclined deflection surfaces in the configuration of three or four rails/bars affixed, permanently and/or removable, both to the transom and to the bottom of a hull of a watercraft. The unit is aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis of the watercraft. At the forward most attachment point, approximately mid-point between the stern and bow, the rails/bars are flush and smooth with the hull/bottom. At the rear/transom, the rails/bars extend below the propeller, beyond the arc of the propeller, and rigid engine parts. There is a calculated inclination along the length of the rail/bars, thereby creating a deflection effect. 
     The Propulsion Protection Device is designed to prevent catastrophic human/animal loss-of-life or injury, property loss/damage resulting from the accidental contact with the spinning propeller, and/or blunt force trauma from the impact with protruding rigid mechanical engine parts.

BACKGROUND

The need for a Propulsion Protection Device was established as a response to observations and discussions regarding the number of fatalities and serious injuries to both human and animal life caused by the accidental contact with marine propellers and blunt force trauma from engine impact. Substantial monetary costs and personal suffering are incurred through these instances. The Propulsion Protection Device was invented to lessen the losses of life, limb, and property.

1. Field of the Invention:

The Propulsion Protection Device is a manufactured item.

2. Description of Related Prior Art:

There is no known prior art relative to this application. Though items concerning marine propeller and rigid engine part blunt force trauma protection were sought out, researched, and/or examined, a diligent search of the patent records failed to reveal any items whereby subjects/objects that may have been harmed or injured were directed away from the watercraft and out of range of the spinning propeller and/or rigid engine parts, by means of a bars/rails (three or four) mounted to the transom and to the mid-section of the bottom hull of said watercraft. Said mounting brackets/points and respective rails/bars are permanent or removable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A Propulsion Protection Device is three or four rails/bars mounted to the transom and to the mid-section of the bottom hull of a boat. This device directs objects such as humans, marine life, and debris from making contact with the spinning propeller and/or rigid engine parts of the watercraft as it passes through water. The catastrophic loss of life and limb, as well as harm being done to endangered marine species, and the lessening of monetary losses related to the accidental contact, can be realized through the use of a Propulsion Protection Device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1A—Presents a bottom view of the overall concept of units mounted on hull.

FIG. 1B—Side view of a typical device as mounted to the transom and bottom of the hull.

FIG. 2A—Stern view depicting relationship of the rails/bars to the propeller and rigid engine parts.

FIG. 3A—Presents rails/bars as inclined deflection surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Propulsion Protection Device is a series of three or four rails/bars, each aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the watercraft, and permanently attached and/or removable from the transom and the bottom of the hull. The rails/bars force objects such as people, animal life, and debris away from contact with a rotating marine propeller and rigid mechanical engine parts as the craft passes through the water. The Propulsion Protection Device has the ability and structural integrity to force the watercraft itself away from fixed or large objects capable of doing structural damage to the craft.

Operation: As the watercraft moves through the water, objects such as human or animal life and debris slide along the edge of the deflector rails/bars and are pushed out of the range of the spinning propeller and rigid engine parts. No action is required on the part of the craft operator to enable the device to function.

The gradual incline of the rails/bars force objects to slide along the edge and be directed away from harm and out of the range of the spinning propeller and engine part blunt force trauma. The structural integrity of the Propulsion Protection Device will force the hull of the watercraft away from fixed or large objects and prevent or reduce damage to the craft and its propulsion unit.

A Propeller Protection Device is comprised of three or four rails/bars designed to force items from the range of a spinning marine propeller and rigid engine part. Inclined rails/bars are permanently and/or removable affixed on the bottom of the hull aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis of the watercraft, and in line with the propeller or propellers and mechanical engine parts.

The mounting system for the three or four rails/bars consists of a rearward attachment point affixed to the transom, and the forward attachment point bottom of the hull of the boat, or elsewhere in line with the propeller or propellers with the rails/bars from the 3-4 members. The inclined rails/bars are shaped and mounted flush and smooth at the front end of the hull and gradually deepen in depth toward the rear end to a dimension that is beyond the propeller, the arc of the propeller, and/or rigid engine parts.

The number, size and spacing of the three or four rails/bars vary according to the diameter of the propeller or propellers, the size and shape of the boat hull, and the turning arc of the mechanical elements of the engine. The Propulsion Protection Device may be adapted and incorporated into a new hull during the process of fabrication, or affixed post manufacturing. The materials for the fabrication of the structures are limited only by the requirement that they be water compatible and possess sufficient physical integrity to accomplish the designed purpose. Colors, sizes and shapes are variable, limited only by the shape and design of the hull to which they are attached.

While the above description contains many specific terms, these are not indicative of a limitation of the scope of this invention. Rather, it is exemplary of one embodiment of the scope of utility and benefits of this system and its components.

The Propulsion Protection Device is a safety product used for directing human/animal life and debris away from contact with a spinning marine propeller and/or blunt force trauma impact with engine parts. It comprises two basic elements: three or four rails/bars attached to the transom and the bottom of the hull of a watercraft; and, all items used for attachment to the safety product to a watercraft. The gradually inclined configuration, consisting of the main rails/bars, allows objects to slide along said rails/bars and be forced away from the propeller in a manner to reduce injury or damage to either the object or the structure and driving mechanism of the boat.

Additionally, the scope of this invention shall include the use of other materials and colors for the production of the components as well as variations of their size and shape as necessary to better accomplish assigned tasks. Various modification and changes may be made with respect to the foregoing attached details without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined, not within the limits of the illustrations but more so by the appended claims, their similar usages and any legal equivalents. 

1. A Propulsion Protection Device comprising: a) three or four inclined rails/bars adapted to be permanently affixed/removable to the hull of a watercraft and aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis of said watercraft, wherein said rails/bars extend below the propeller, beyond the arc of the propeller, and rigid engine parts, and; b) said protection device is attached permanently and/or removable, using mounting brackets affixed to the transom and the hull/bottom of the watercraft; c) said safety device has a forward attachment point, wherein the rails/bars are flush and smooth with the hull at said front end, and extend toward the rear; d) wherein the front end is arranged to be positioned on the watercraft forward of the rear end; e) the length of the three or four deflection rails/bars, from said rear end to said front end, being at least substantially half the length of the bottom of the hull.
 2. The Propulsion Protection Device of claim 1, wherein the number and size of said rigid rails/bars are adapted according to the diameter of the propeller, the arc of the propulsion unit, and the size/shape of the hull of said watercraft.
 3. The Propulsion Protection Device of claim 1, wherein said unit can be adapted to be mounted on the hull during the process of fabrication of said hull and/or affixed post-manufacturing as an “aftermarket” safety product. 